[J1 Matchday 10] Which team will seize the opportunity to rise to the top? — A fierce 90-minute battle between Niigata and Yokohama FC

Niigata will continue with the same starting lineup from their win, while Yokohama FC will make one change to their roster.

Home team Niigata fielded the same starting eleven as in the previous match where they secured their first win of the season. Their formation was 4-4-2, with Australian international defender Jason Geria and university graduate rookie defender Hayato Inamura at center back. Up front was forward Yuji Ono, with forward Motoki Hasegawa, who has scored a team-high four goals, playing as an attacking midfielder. Yokohama FC, on the other hand, made one change from their previous match against Shimizu, with defender Junya Suzuki making his first start in five matches and playing as a right wing-back. Their formation was 3-4-2-1, and they too were aiming for their first consecutive wins of the season.

Niigata took the lead, but neither side gave in.

In the early stages of the match, home team Niigata controlled possession and took the lead. In the 17th minute of the first half, they launched a swift attack starting with a vertical pass from Inamura. Ono sent a one-touch pass to Hasegawa, who then spread the ball to the right. Midfielder Fujiwara Soya received the ball and delivered a cross, but midfielder Yuri Lara rushed back to clear it in front of two defenders who were pressing in front of the goal. Niigata continued to dominate the game, and after 20 minutes, the ball possession rate was a staggering 71% for Niigata and 29% for Yokohama FC. In the 23rd minute, a quick counter-attack saw forward Taniguchi Kaito dribble forward and send a through pass through the defenders. Hasegawa received the pass and fired a shot from a tight angle, but it went wide of the goal. In the 27th minute, Taniguchi turned and unleashed a powerful long-range shot, but it was caught by goalkeeper Ichikawa Teruki.

Yokohama FC, still in a difficult situation, looked to create chances from set pieces. In the 36th minute, striker Musashi Suzuki attempted to head Junya Suzuki's free kick, but goalkeeper Kazuki Fujita managed to clear it in a scramble. Lara followed up on the loose ball, but Fujita caught it and prevented a goal. In the 41st minute, Niigata had a golden opportunity when striker Yota Komi made a long pass behind the defense, but his lob shot went over the goal. Just before the end of the first half, in the 43rd minute, Yokohama FC's defender Akito Fukumori won a challenge from Ichikawa's long kick and defender Makito Ito delivered a superb cross. Striker Kota Yamada headed it, but it didn't go in. Both teams created chances but couldn't convert them, and the first half ended scoreless.

Niigata went on the offensive, but Yokohama FC's solid defense shone through.

Niigata continued to control the ball in the second half. In the 60th minute, midfielder Yuji Hoshi cut in from the left side and unleashed a shot from distance, but it went wide of the left post. Wary of attacks from this side, Yokohama FC brought on forward Naoya Komazawa and midfielder Towa Yamane to strengthen their defense from the front. In the 76th minute, midfielder Mizuki Arai, who had just come on as a substitute, cut inside with his signature dribble and took a shot, but it was caught by Fujita. Both teams used their substitutions in an attempt to score, but a goal remained elusive. As the stalemate continued, a big chance came for Niigata in the 90th minute, just before the end of the second half. Midfielder Keisuke Kasai received a vertical pass from Inamura and controlled it with one touch, and midfielder Jin Okumura dribbled up and delivered a cross. Komi persevered in front of the goal and passed to forward Ken Yamura, who controlled the ball with one touch and shot it into the net. However, the goal was disallowed due to a handball. Niigata continued their attack until added time, but they were unable to break down Yokohama FC's solid defense, and the match ended in a goalless draw.

A match where each player's strengths clashed, offering a glimpse into the future.

Niigata dominated possession and launched a variety of attacks centered around forwards Taniguchi and Hasegawa. They created several good chances with vertical passes from Inamura and Okumura, but their finishing accuracy remained a challenge. Yokohama FC, on the other hand, showed high defensive precision thanks to good saves from Fujita and dedicated efforts from Lara and Fukumori, and tenaciously refused to concede a goal until the end. Although they did not score, the substitute players also made an impact. Neither team was able to secure a second consecutive win, but both teams earned one point through a total effort. As a result, Niigata rose to 19th place, while Yokohama FC dropped one place to 15th. The match clearly highlighted each team's strengths and areas for improvement, and it was a game that provided a springboard for both teams to move up the standings.

From DAZN's "Meiji Yasuda J1 League Highlights Niigata vs Yokohama FC: Matchday 10" (April 13, 2025)
*The information in this article is current as of the time of publication.